Car accidents are both physically and psychologically traumatic, regardless of the severity.
Not only do the horrific memories linger in your mind for years, but the body pain remains for weeks or even months.
Gladly, there are ways to overcome these traumas and injuries, including chiropractic treatment.
A medical study proves the effectiveness of chiropractic care in treating acute neck pain, which is one of the most common injuries in a car accident.
Now that you’re convinced that chiropractic treatment works, the question is, can your insurance pay your chiropractor for your injury?
The answer is YES. This article will help you navigate the entire process and the importance of seeking chiropractic treatment for personal injury.
How chiropractors help alleviate body pain
Chiropractic care is an alternative medicine approach focusing on the body’s alignment. It’s a treatment for patients seeking natural remedies without needing prescribed medications.
Chiropractors are trained to spot body pain through the patient’s symptoms and adjust them accordingly through spinal manipulation or spinal cord realignment.
Why the spine?
Because the spine is the center of the body’s nervous system, it coordinates between the brain and the rest of the body. A single misalignment in the spine can put immense pressure on one of its nerves and reduce the affected body part’s ability to function correctly. Hence, you feel pain.
It’s the chiropractor’s job to correct the spine alignment to relieve the nerve pressure to
normalize the body functions.
Here are the typical car accident injuries that chiropractors treat:
- Whiplash
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Muscle pain
- Spinal cord injuries
After a series of chiropractic treatments, you’ll notice pain relief, inflammation reduction, and mobility improvement. Being allied health professionals, chiropractors also know if you’ll need further medical intervention should your case go beyond their expertise.
Insurance Companies That Cover Chiropractic Care
After a car accident, seeking further medical assistance, including chiropractic treatment, is always advisable to avoid injury complications. However, many don’t go to a chiropractic clinic for two reasons.
- First, they have no idea whether their insurance providers cover this alternative treatment.
- Second, chiropractic sessions are costly.
The good news is that most medical insurance health plans include acupuncture and chiropractic benefits.
Here are the major insurance companies that accept chiropractors and physical therapists:
- AARP
- Aetna
- Ambetter
- Assurant
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Bright Healthcare
- Boon Chapman
- Cigna
- Humana
- Medicare
- Multi-Plan
- Tri-Care
- Tri-West
- PHCS
- United Healthcare
The same goes for auto insurance companies; most cover alternative treatments if you get into a car accident. These are companies such as:
- Allstate
- American Family Insurance
- Farmer’s Insurance
- Geico
- Liberty
- Progressive
- State Farm
- Travelers Insurance
Reviewing your insurance policy or contacting your insurance agent to confirm the coverage and avoid any financial or legal repercussions is also recommended.
After identifying your insurance coverage, let’s break down the step-by-step process of getting your insurance company to pay for your chiropractic treatment.
Step-By-Step Process Of Getting Your Insurance Pay For Your Chiropractic Treatment
- Documenting Your Injury
Remaining calm and composed right after the accident is vital. The more you panic, the worse the situation could be.
If you’re able, carefully get out of the vehicle and stay on the side of the road. Immediately call 911 for police and medical assistance.
While waiting for the emergency team, locating any pain point in your body and taking photos of your wounds, bruises, or any injury is best.
Provide the paramedic with information about the location of the pain so that they can apply the appropriate first aid.
You should seek a police and medical report after the onsite investigation, as these will be significant for insurance claims and legal proceedings. Suppose you experience discomfort justifyhours or a few days after a car accident. In that case, it’s critical to seek immediate medical attention.
Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, so it’s highly recommended to consult a medical professional to assess any potential injuries related to the accident. It’s also the best time to have an initial consultation with a chiropractor to determine the problem and request a treatment recommendation.
- Communicating With Your Insurance Company
Every photograph, video, police and medical report, and your statement need to be shared with your insurance company as soon as possible. When you inform your insurance company, your agent can process the necessary papers and ask you for additional documents.
Know that the other party’s insurance company may also contact you with a potential settlement offer. However, exercising caution when sharing information is critical, as even minor details could be used against you or potentially place you at fault.
It’s recommended to seek guidance from your car accident or personal injury lawyer before disclosing any information to other individuals, particularly the opposing party. This professional consultation will ensure you know what information can be safely shared and what should be kept confidential.
In case you are caught off guard by the other party’s insurance company or anyone related, it’s suggested that you refrain from providing any statements. It’s also best to inform your insurance company about your ongoing communication with a personal injury lawyer. It ensures effective coordination between all parties involved in your case.
- Consult A Personal Injury Lawyer
Suppose you suffered any injuries or significant property damage. Consulting with a personal injury or distracted driving accident lawyer is advisable.
If you sustain an injury, it’s highly recommended to contact your preferred law firm instead of visiting the office to prevent further aggravation of your condition. You just need to describe your case in full detail through a phone call, and a legal consultant will assess the viability of your case and offer tailored advice based on your specific circumstances.
Most personal injury or distracted driving accident lawyers don’t require their clients to make any upfront payments. They only discuss the service fee after successfully winning your case. What matters most to them is guiding you throughout the legal process and assisting you in seeking a just settlement.
In choosing the right law firm, it’s advisable to thoroughly check their track records, the number of clients they have helped, and access to the best medical practitioners.
- Working With A Chiropractor Who Accepts Insurance
You can start calling chiropractic clinics while recuperating from your injuries in the comfort of your home. Even if you’re not severely hurt, it’s always advisable to inquire through a phone call if the chiropractor works with your insurance provider to save time and effort.
Another way to determine if a chiropractor accepts insurance is through Zocdoc. It’s a website that allows patients to find and book medical appointments. You can visit their website: https://www.zocdoc.com/chiropractors/us-family-health-plan-414m. All you need to do is provide your location and your insurance provider.
Zocdoc will instantly connect you to a handful of chiropractic clinics near your place for the utmost convenience. You can chat with the agents on their site, email them, or message them on their social media channels.
It’s not enough to determine if a chiropractor accepts insurance. Checking their credentials, years of experience, and patient feedback is a great practice.
Pick at least five chiropractic clinics before doing your “due diligence” and narrowing down your choices. After the shortlisting, type in the chiropractor’s name plus the word “reviews” on Google (for example, Los Angeles Chiropractic Clinic Reviews).
Checking out the chiropractor on Yelp is an excellent reference for determining a reliable chiropractic clinic using genuine patient reviews.
Another option is Facebook. Type the clinic name in the search bar, then click enter, click pages, and click on reviews to see all feedback and ratings.
Based on the feedback and ratings, narrow down your list to two and start inquiring by phone. Discuss the insurance coverage and payment options before deciding who to go to for your treatment.
- Appealing insurance denials
Are there instances in which chiropractors deny your insurance claims?
Unfortunately, yes.
Here are the three common reasons why a chiropractic insurance claim is denied:
- Lack of documentation
- Wrong billing amount
- Erratic encoding
Among these usual reasons, lack of documentation is the most crucial. That’s why all patients are highly advised to take all the necessary documentation in step 2.
But don’t worry. There are ways to prevent these from happening if you follow these tips:
- Always have a checklist of the documents that you’ve submitted. Ask the chiropractor or the staff to sign your checklist upon completion to prove that everything is complete.
- Have the initiative to counter-check any forms filled out and printed by the chiropractic staff before leaving the clinic premises.
- Your personal injury lawyer could always assist you regarding these concerns, given that you’ve complied with all the mandated requirements and have proof of completion.
- Alternative Options For Coverage
If your auto or health insurance didn’t work, there are other options for you to consider when undergoing chiropractic treatment.
- Worker’s compensation – If you’re an employee and get into an accident while performing your duty, whether inside the company premises or in the field, your employer pays for your medical bills and won’t require you to shoulder them.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – PIP insurance covers all medical bills, lost wages, and even funeral costs of an individual who has this. PIP covers all the relevant damages whether you’re at fault or not, in a vehicle or simply standing by.
- Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) – This savings account is dedicated to health and medical reimbursements. It’s like having a time deposit in a bank and only withdrawable during medical emergencies. However, there are IRS HSA eligibility requirements for opening an account.
Conclusion
Seeking medical attention is always a must after getting involved in an accident. Chiropractic treatment is one of the best options for car or vehicle accident type of injuries because of its natural and non-medication approach.
Health and auto insurance are both excellent options for availing chiropractic services. However, the process is tedious and confusing most of the time.
However, articles such as this will help you simplify the process of getting your insurance to pay for your chiropractic treatment for your injury.
Proper documentation is one of the most overlooked steps, but it’s essential in accomplishing this task. Coordination with your insurance provider will help you navigate the ins and outs of filing a chiropractic insurance claim.
Consulting a personal injury or distracted driving lawyer will help you solidify your claim and rights and settle what is due to you.
Not all chiropractors are the same. So, it’s necessary to research their expertise and check which insurance companies they are affiliated with to save money and recover from injuries sustained during a car accident.
Considering other viable options aside from health and car insurance is always advisable. They will be your backup in case your insurance fails.